Introduction: Voice was very disappointed to hear only this morning, on the deadline date for submissions to the IWPRB, that the Welsh Government has delayed the submission of its own evidence to the IWPRB, and that the timescales will subsequently be put back.

This represents a serious delay to a process that has already been delayed, and we have serious concerns about whether the process will be sufficiently rigorous, with an outcome that will reward teachers appropriately with a pay rise in September. We will be making a strong case in our supplementary evidence to the IWRPB that every effort must be made to ensure that this takes place, and to criticise the actions of the Welsh Government.

Voice Cymru's submission

Summary: Our headline demands are for the IWPRB to:

make its recommendations on the basis of evidence rather than in response to Welsh Government requirements regarding cost;

recommend an across the board increase of 5% for all teachers and school leaders notwithstanding the current situation and without any qualification;

recommend that this increase is fully funded by the Welsh Government;

introduce national pay scales (where practicable) to ensure that the pay framework provides a clear career pathway, meets current challenges and provides an attractive offer for teachers at all career stages;

Joint union statement

Our organisations, representing the overwhelming majority of teachers and school leaders in Wales, set out below our united position on key issues for the IWPRB as it prepares to respond to the Education Minister’s remit.